Coccidiosis poultry vaccine

Abstract

This invention relates to Eimeria proteins with immunogenic properties as well as to DNA sequences encoding these proteins. These proteins can be administered to poultry thereby protecting the birds against coccidiosis. In addition the DNA encoding these proteins can be used for the preparation of a vector vaccine against coccidiosis.

we claim: 
     
       1. An isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding an immunogenic fragment of Eimeria lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), wherein said LDH is one that will immunologically react with antiserum raised against the LDH of SEQ ID NO: 2. 
     
     
       2. The nucleic acid molecule of claim 1, which comprises the DNA sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1. 
     
     
       3. The nucleic acid molecule of claim 1, which comprises expression control sequences in operable linkage with the nucleic acid sequence encoding an immunogenic fragment of Eimeria lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) for expression of said nucleic acid sequence. 
     
     
       4. A vector which comprises the nucleic acid molecule of claim 1. 
     
     
       5. A vector which comprises the nucleic acid molecule of claim 3. 
     
     
       6. An isolated host cell comprising the nucleic acid molecule of claim 1. 
     
     
       7. A process for producing an immunogenic fragment of Eimeria lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) comprising, culturing the host cell of claim 6 such that the nucleic acid sequence is expressed at a level sufficient for the production of an immunogenic fragment of Eimeria lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). 
     
     
       8. A process for the preparation of a coccidiosis vaccine comprising, culturing the host cell of claim 6, collecting the vector, and formulating said vector into a pharmaceutical composition. 
     
     
       9. An isolated host cell comprising the vector of claim 4. 
     
     
       10. An isolated host cell comprising the vector of claim 5. 
     
     
       11. A vaccine for protection of poultry against coccidiosis, which comprises the nucleic acid molecule of claim 3, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
       12. A vaccine for protection of poultry against coccidiosis, which comprises the vector of claim 4, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
       13. A vaccine for protection of poultry against coccidiosis, which comprises the host cell of claim 6, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
       14. A vaccine for protection of poultry against coccidiosis, which comprises the host cell of claim 9, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
       15. A vaccine for protection of poultry against coccidiosis, which comprises the host cell of claim 10, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
       16. A method for the protection of poultry against coccidiosis comprising, administering to the poultry the vaccine of claim 11, wherein the nucleic acid sequence of said vaccine is expressed at a level sufficient for protection of said poultry against coccidiosis. 
     
     
       17. A method for the protection of poultry against coccidiosis comprising, administering to the poultry the vaccine of claim 12, wherein the nucleic acid sequence of said vaccine is expressed at a level sufficient for protection of said poultry against coccidiosis. 
     
     
       18. A method for the protection of poultry against coccidiosis, comprising administering to the poultry the vaccine of claim 13, wherein the nucleic acid sequence of said vaccine is expressed at a level sufficient for protection of said poultry against coccidiosis. 
     
     
       19. A method for the protection of poultry against coccidiosis, comprising administering to the poultry the vaccine of claim 14, wherein the nucleic acid sequence of said vaccine is expressed at a level sufficient for protection of said poultry against coccidiosis. 
     
     
       20. A method for the protection of poultry against coccidiosis, comprising administering to the poultry the vaccine of claim 15, wherein the nucleic acid sequence of said vaccine is expressed at a level sufficient for protection of said poultry against coccidiosis. 
     
     
       21. The nucleic acid molecule of claim 1, wherein said nucleic acid sequence encodes Eimeria lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). 
     
     
       22. The nucleic acid molecule of claim 1, wherein said nucleic acid sequence encodes the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2. 
     
     
       23. An isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding an immunogenic fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2. 
     
     
       24. An isolated nucleic acid molecule comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2. 
     
     
       25. A vaccine for protection of poultry against coccidiosis, which comprises the vector of claim 5, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.